WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

[Majingir]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

The only time that ever happens in wrestling now is PPV/PLEs. It would have been a cool moment out of nowhere tho.

It makes sense why they announce it beforehand.

The buzz you get leading in to (and during) the actual TV show will be more than just during the show if it's a surprise.

Instead of social media and news outlets being like "Bret Hart Returned on Raw!" you have all that plus "Bret Hart is returning on Raw this Monday" talk too.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

Next week on the return to USA Network for Smackdown, Cody Rhodes faces Solo in a Steel Cage Match. I'm just glad they are doing this on Smackdown and not Bad Blood. It feels like the Bloodline storyline has dragged Smackdown through the mud along with Cody Rhodes. The most interesting stuff Cody has done since being the champion is the stuff away from the Bloodline. I liked his matches with AJ, even the one against Logan Paul.


The stuff with KO and will he or won't he turn on Cody, plus we know there is a Viper lurking who could turn at any moment. Again, Cody has way more compelling storylines away from the Bloodline, yet he's forced to still deal with it. The Tag Titles are back on the Bloodline.... again. That's cool but DIY vs The Street Profits show the more compelling stuff within the tag division is away from the Bloodline. It hasn't reached levels of the Jericho Vortex but Smackdown has felt so bland because it seems they just keep waiting for that next story beat in the Bloodline story.

[dubcity]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

It makes sense why they announce it beforehand.

The buzz you get leading in to (and during) the actual TV show will be more than just during the show if it's a surprise.

Instead of social media and news outlets being like "Bret Hart Returned on Raw!" you have all that plus "Bret Hart is returning on Raw this Monday" talk too.

My counter would be: if you train your audience to assume that unless something like this is announced beforehand it's just going to be an average missable episode without any surprises, they might decide to watch or not watch week-to-week based on that.

Also, if announcing something in advance doesn't equal any kind of ratings bump, then it defeats the purpose and you might as well do it as a fun surprise to create a special moment.

But clearly my logic is not what WWE or AEW agree with, so it's all just conversation.

[Majingir]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

My counter would be: if you train your audience to assume that unless something like this is announced beforehand it's just going to be an average missable episode without any surprises, they might decide to watch or not watch week-to-week based on that.

Also, if announcing something in advance doesn't equal any kind of ratings bump, then it defeats the purpose and you might as well do it as a fun surprise to create a special moment.

But clearly my logic is not what WWE or AEW agree with, so it's all just conversation.

It's not just about "ratings bumps" anymore. Social media buzz, news articles and all that mean lots to the company too.

[SmashMan]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

It's also Bret Hart in 2024. Not really secret-worthy.

In recent years they've had Rock, a couple Cena appearances, Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Punk, Iyo and Dakota, etc. They'll do surprises when it's building toward something.

[Majingir]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

It's also Bret Hart in 2024. Not really secret-worthy.



In recent years they've had Rock, a couple Cena appearances, Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Punk, Iyo and Dakota, etc. They'll do surprises when it's building toward something.

That's also partially the point too.

Fans would pop regardless, but he wouldn't get the "surprise (I never would have expected this appearance!) pop" that Rock or Austin would get for suddenly showing up, especially since its Calgary, you know there's always a chance he could show up, like Trish in Toronto.

But because it's Bret in Calgary, you know leading up to the show the media attention specifically in Canada will be big. I think this is the last ever Raw in Canada that'll air on Canadian television (since they're going to Netflix in January, and Vancouver I believe is only Smackdown and Survivor Series), so it's sad to say but this could be one of the last WWE shows that the Canadian media actually cares about.

I could see him in a quick in ring segment with CM Punk, and then later in the night they find him knocked out backstage thanks to McIntyre (so he obviously wouldn't take any bump or have to try selling getting attacked). But I also hope he does a Johnny Gaudreau tribute, having Bret in Calgary doing a tribute for him would be so special. Jackie and Punk better be on it, they're the hockey experts too.

[dubcity]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

It's also Bret Hart in 2024. Not really secret-worthy.



In recent years they've had Rock, a couple Cena appearances, Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Punk, Iyo and Dakota, etc. They'll do surprises when it's building toward something.

Wasn't the Punk return on a PLE? And the big Cena return against Reigns was at a PLE. I can't remember the specifics of the others, but I'll take your word. It just seems like major returns are typically either announced in advance for TV or a surprise on a Peacock event. For reasons that y'all explained and I totally get.

[SmashMan]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

Wasn't the Punk return on a PLE? And the big Cena return against Reigns was at a PLE. I can't remember the specifics of the others, but I'll take your word. It just seems like major returns are typically either announced in advance for TV or a surprise on a Peacock event. For reasons that y'all explained and I totally get.

Two were Raw, but most I mentioned were PPVs, yeah. I thought we were talking about announcing appearances in general, not breaking down further to TV vs PPV. If we’re doing that then my reply doesn’t apply.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

I say this as a massive Bret Hart fan, but my suspicion is that Bret being announced in advance is not a huge ratings mover. But a surprise appearance would have been nice for the fans.

How are we feeling on the Wyatts? I'm kind of conflicted. On the one hand as a short term payoff I like it, but if this goes on for too long I'll quickly become disinterested.

WWE its still a commercial if its a WWE commercial, you know that right

[ggsimmonds]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

Belair and Cargill is a horrible pairing. This is like if Narcissist Lex Luger and New Day Big E were a tag team.

One of them need to turn heel already.

Also, I appreciate Dawn's um...jiggle.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

WWE has dropped this news in regard to Monday Night RAW.... starting October 7th, RAW will be 2 hours through the rest of the year. Does this mean it will be 2 hours on Netflix?

https://x.com/WWE/status/1833303277615669518

[Majingir]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

Belair and Cargill is a horrible pairing. This is like if Narcissist Lex Luger and New Day Big E were a tag team.

One of them need to turn heel already.

Also, I appreciate Dawn's um...jiggle.

The pairing is more for Jade than Bianca.

Them trying to get Jade more adjusted to the WWE way of things and "masking" weaknesses like in ring ability and promos by having someone else carry half the work.

If they do want to make Jade a solo competitor and give her a manager, Robert Stone perhaps could be an option? Stokely in AEW should've been her manager full time but that's one of many things they messed up for her there.

[Majingir]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

WWE has dropped this news in regard to Monday Night RAW.... starting October 7th, RAW will be 2 hours through the rest of the year. Does this mean it will be 2 hours on Netflix?



https://x.com/WWE/status/1833303277615669518

I think it's just for USA. Perhaps part of the deal since they weren't supposed to be on USA starting in October but they agreed to a temporary extension.

But I would've loved 2 hour commercial free Netflix. 2 hour commercial free is basically same length of actual show with 3 hours and ads.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

The pairing is more for Jade than Bianca.

Them trying to get Jade more adjusted to the WWE way of things and "masking" weaknesses like in ring ability and promos by having someone else carry half the work.

If they do want to make Jade a solo competitor and give her a manager, Robert Stone perhaps could be an option? Stokely in AEW should've been her manager full time but that's one of many things they messed up for her there.

If it was really for Jade she would be in NXT and be allowed to develop. The pairing is a way for WWE to capitalize on her strengths and not suffer for her weaknesses.

I feel like they really fumbled Bret's appearance so far. Okay cool announce his appearance beforehand, but then showing him on screen first before the walk out is a amateur mistake imo. Respect the pop WWE.

Gunther about to get major heat and I'm here for it, just don't ask Bret to take a bump

[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

LMAO 🤣

"You will always be a close second to my actual favorite. And my all-time favorite is none other than Bill Goldberg!" - Gunther to Bret Hart